Get Involved
Thriving arts ecosystems need you
Partner with us in our vision to provide more art for more people.
There are many ways to get involved with M-AAA, and support artists and arts organizations in your community. From serving as a grant reviewer to participating in our programs, you can be a resource for empowering communities through art.
Review the items below and let us know how you’d like to get involved.
Questions? Contact us at communications@maaa.org.
Review Grants
We regularly are in need of grant review panelists, which usually provide a stipend. Becoming a grant reviewer is a great way to give back to your arts community, gain perspective on the grant process, and make valuable connections with peers.
Mid-America Arts Alliance is seeking panelists to review applications for several grant programs in 2024.
Artist Services Division (Catalyze, Interchange, and Artists 360)
Catalyze, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, made possible through the support of the Windgate Foundation, provides $10,000 practice-based grant funding and professional development opportunities to individual artists of all disciplines in a 16-county region of Central Arkansas. For more information on the Catalyze program visit: www.maaa.org/catalyze. Reviews for this program have closed for 2024.
Interchange, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, is designed to strengthen individual artists in the M-AAA region who have a history of impactful work in a socially-engaged creative practice by providing 16 artists with $25,000 in practice-based grant funding, professional development experiences, peer network access, and one-on-one mentoring. The Interchange program is made possible through the support of the Mellon Foundation. For more information on the Interchange program visit: https://www.maaa.org/
- Reviews for this program will take place between May 6, 2024 and June 3, 2024. Submit your interest here.
Artists 360, a program of Mid-America Arts Arts Alliance, provides grant funding and professional development opportunities to individual artists of all disciplines in Northwest Arkansas. Artists 360 includes grant opportunities for students, practicing artists, artists working with community, and one annual Creative Impact Award. Artists 360 is made possible through the philanthropic support from Steuart Walton and Tom Walton through the Walton Family Foundation. For more information on the Artists 360 program visit: https://www.maaa.org/
- Reviews for this program will take place between July 1, 2024 and July 29, 2024. Submit your interest here.
Panelist Requirements and Compensation (Catalyze, Interchange, Artists 360): Mid-America Arts Alliance relies upon artists and arts leaders to serve as panelists for each of our programs. Panelists must be able to commit to an independent review of applications. Panelists must have reliable internet access and a computer capable of browsing and attending online meetings. The time commitment is approximately 3-5 hours during the review period and compensation is between $150-$250, contingent upon the number of applications.
Panelists are also required to view a pre-recorded Implicit Bias training prior to application review. This requires an additional thirty-minute commitment. This training must be completed once every three years. Panelists who have not yet completed this training will receive an additional $50 in compensation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Artist Services team at artistservices@maaa.org.
Arts and Humanities Grant Programs Division (Artistic Innovations, Creative Forces)
Artistic Innovations, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, offers multiple funding opportunities, including the Artistic Innovations Grant Program which requires adjudication by a panel of arts professionals.
Mid-America Arts Alliance relies upon arts leaders in the field to serve as reviewers for the Artistic Innovations program. Review of application materials followed by a reviewer meeting typically takes place in April. The meeting is held in a web-based format (via phone and computer). Reviewers are not expected to travel; however, each reviewer must be able to commit to independent review of applications in advance of the meeting which may take as many as 5-hours. Reviewers must have a computer capable of browsing and online meetings as well as reliable internet access.
A stipend is included.
Submitted interest forms will be held for consideration for two years. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christine Bial, Director of Grant Programs at christine@maaa.org.
Submit your interest by filling out the inquiry form.
Creative Forces – Mid-America Arts Alliance, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, offers multiple funding opportunities, including the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant Program which requires adjudication by a panel of reviewers comprised of lay persons, as well as arts and military-connected professionals.
Mid-America Arts Alliance relies upon arts and human services leaders in the field to serve as reviewers for the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants. Review of application materials is annually in February and March. Reviewers are not expected to travel; however, each reviewer must be able to commit to independent review of applications in advance of the meeting which may take as many as 40 hours. Nominees must have a computer capable of browsing and online meetings as well as reliable internet access. Reviewers will receive an honorarium.
Submitted interest forms will be held for consideration for two years. If you have any questions, concerns or require special accommodation, please contact M-AAA program staff at CreativeForces@maaa.org.
Submit your interest by filling out the Creative Forces inquiry form.
Volunteer or Work with Us
M-AAA often has opportunities for volunteers, grant reviewers, guest artists, artist facilitators, artist lecturers, guest writers, photographers, and more.
There may also be opportunities for internships, which are paid. Please see our careers page for updated employment information.
If you are interested in opportunities, please follow our social media channels, and sign-up for our e-newsletter. You may also contact us at communications@maaa.org.
Donate
Thriving arts ecosystems rely on a strong network of resources. Make your tax-deductible gift today.
As a 501c3, nonprofit organization, Mid-America Arts Alliance relies on the contributions of our growing family of donors and funders. Join us in bringing more art to more people throughout our region and beyond by making a meaningful contribution.
The generosity of our philanthropic partners makes our work possible. Learn more about our funders.
Donate online or mail a check to the address below.
Checks can be mailed to:
Development Division
Mid-America Arts Alliance
2018 Baltimore Ave
Kansas City, MO 64108
We appreciate all of our generous supporters and funders. If you’d like to share in our vision to sustain a thriving arts and culture sector in our region, please make a donation below or contact us at giving@maaa.org.
Stay involved
Have you been a past program participant, grantee, or award recipient? We would like to hear how the M-AAA grant or program impacted you. Share your story with us.
Do you have an idea to bring more art to more people and empower our communities? We want to hear it!
Contact us at communications@maaa.org.
Newsletter Signup
Subscribe to the M-AAA newsletter to get monthly updates on opportunities for artists and arts organizations.